Philip C. Schifflin, Jr., Esq.

Director, Center for Mariner Advocacy

At the Seamen’s Church Institute, we have always placed a high priority on the wellness of mariners—both their physical health and mental well-being. In my role as Director of SCI’s Center for Mariner Advocacy, I have been working on a range of initiatives aimed at improving the overall wellness of inland marine mariners.

Mariner Wellness Steering Committee

The first major initiative I took part in was a roundtable discussion on inland marine mariner wellness, held at SCI’s facility in Paducah during the summer of 2021. The meeting brought together representatives from industry, government, medical professionals, and SCI. Although this one-day event effectively identified key issues, there was not enough time to develop solutions. To continue the work, the group established a Mariner Wellness Steering Committee.

The Steering Committee has met about once a month since then, working on various initiatives to improve inland mariner wellness. I serve as facilitator, with Jim Guidry of Kirby Corporation chairing the committee. While Guidry recognized the need to address both physical and mental health, he chose to prioritize mental health, as fewer initiatives have concentrated on this area. Since mental health often directly affects physical health, the committee agreed to begin with this focus.

After exploring the challenges mariners face, the committee decided to start with four key projects:

1. Developing improved mental health screening tools for pre-employment or pre-crew change.

2. Creating best practices for HR professionals to support mariners with mental health challenges.

3. Addressing licensure issues for mental health providers so mariners can continue care across state lines.

4. Establishing return-to-work best practices after a mental health-related absence.

A workgroup is already developing the first project, with additional workgroups planned for the others.

The committee also found that the quality of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) varies greatly, making it important for companies to carefully evaluate whether their programs adequately meet mariners’ needs.

Inland Mariner Wellness Study

Another initiative I’ve been involved in is a joint effort between SCI and Martin D. Slade, PhD, MPH, of the Yale University Maritime Research Center, to study inland mariner wellness initiatives. This study reviewed existing academic literature and included interviews with inland marine industry executives. The goal was to identify wellness programs that have been employed and assess their effectiveness.

Findings showed that, although a variety of initiatives have been attempted, most have had limited success. A particularly important insight from executives was their willingness to invest in wellness, but frustration over the lack of a clear roadmap for implementing effective programs. To me, this highlights an opportunity: if we can provide such a roadmap, there is strong a willingness to adopt it.

Cultural Barriers as a Significant Issue

The study also highlighted cultural barriers. Many mariners themselves place limited value on wellness initiatives, making buy-in essential for success. Shifting cultural perceptions will be a critical step. Another key finding was the need to strengthen a broader “culture of care,” not only for mariners but also for their families. This would involve improving communication, leadership training, nutrition, fatigue management, and access to mental health care. A major challenge is how mental health care is perceived. We generally accept the value of preventative care in dentistry and general medicine—annual checkups, blood pressure and cholesterol monitoring, and early treatment before conditions become severe. Yet with mental health care, we often wait until someone is in crisis before offering care. We need a paradigm shift to normalize routine mental health checkups, just like dental or cardiac care.

Another challenge is the stigma surrounding mental health. For example, when a mariner recovers from a physical condition, once cleared by a doctor, they usually return to work without issue. But mariners recovering from mental health challenges often face extra barriers; colleagues may feel uneasy, and employers may see them as a risk. If we want to improve mental health and, by extension, overall well-being, we must work to change these perceptions and expand access to care.

Emerging Initiatives in Mariner Wellness

SCI is actively exploring innovative approaches to enhance inland mariner well-being. One such initiative involves the development of AI-powered screening tools. These tools analyze tone and voice inflection during responses to targeted questions, helping to identify mariners who may be at elevated risk for mental health challenges. By recognizing potential concerns early, employers can provide timely, focused support to those who need it most.

Another initiative under consideration is the creation of a dedicated mental health provider network. This system would connect mariners with professionals who understand the unique stressors of inland marine work. By ensuring access to providers familiar with the industry’s demands, SCI aims to deliver care that is more relevant, effective, and responsive to the needs of mariners.

SCI’s Perspective From the Field

Some may ask why so much focus is being placed on wellness instead of other areas like safety or training. While those areas are also vital, and SCI strongly supports them, recent SCI Chaplains’ survey responses reveal the urgency of wellness issues. So far this year:

-62% of responses have been related to physical health (e.g., heart attacks).

-15% have been related to mental health (e.g., suicide, suicidal ideation).

-23% have been related to accidents.

While our Chaplains continue to collect information, what we’re currently seeing is that wellness-related issues account for 77% of all responses. Clearly, while safety remains critical, wellness—both mental and physical— seems to represent the greatest threat mariners face today.

Final Thought

From my perspective over the past year, the wellness of inland marine mariners demands renewed attention. Meaningful progress will rely on collaboration among industry leaders, medical professionals, nonprofits such as SCI, and regulators. Through collective effort, we can develop practical, scalable solutions and weave health and well-being into the very fabric of maritime culture, both on the water and ashore.